Meeting Marie-Laure, mother from Paris - France

Living just outside Paris in a sweet little house with a garden, Marie-Laure is mother to two girls, Madeleine and Rose. Haute couture embroidery designer with a thriving imagination, she delights in nothing more than making her princesses' dreams come true!

Seduced by the family's joyful and candid universe featured on our.vie.en.rose, we reached out to Marie-Laure who kindly took time to answer our questions.

WHAT HAS THE LOCKDOWN TAUGHT YOU?

This quarantine has taught me so much on all kinds of scales.

Firstly it has given me the privileged of spending uninterrupted quality time with my two daughters. This has almost never happened before. Or at least not over such a long period, as I had to take back work just as soon as my children were born.

It has been lovely watching the girls getting closer over the past few months. Their daily joys have helped me to overcome my fears during the pandemic. Thanks to these small sparkles I have remained confident in hope of a better future!

I have also seen been deeply touched by all the actions within the world of couture! I am happy to contribute and make myself useful by sewing masks. I like to pick pretty fabrics and joyful prints to cheer up those wearing them. I try to focus on all the positive and caring initiatives put into action to support health workers and help those in need.

This crisis has revealed how linked we are all. In spite of the fear of infecting one another, which is natural in such a pandemic, we all need love and care. Contact and social interactions are what make us human after all!

From now on, I will use Skype much more often to keep in touch with my far away friends and relatives!

Virtual drinks will remain my favorite invention of this stay-at-home period!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST GRATEFUL FOR?

I am truly grateful to be locked up with the three people I love the most! Nothing will ever be like before again. We have created an even deeper bond that will last forever! 

I also thankful to have my own garden in which to enjoy the sun and fresh air! It makes all the difference.

WHAT IS THE FAVORITE ACTIVITY/CRAFT YOU HAVE SHARED WITH YOUR CHILDREN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE LOCKDOWN?

The girls are fond of creating shows. Let me explain! They pick a tale and then take time to select their characters, to find the appropriate toys, plush animals and props. We make a banner, we draw the decor and with their own words they re-create the whole story! Their dad is the audience. They love it!

CAN YOU SHARE A FAVORITE RECIPE FROM YOUR COUNTRY?

Foodwise, I have to admit that I am very old school so if I had to pick just one dish it would probably be my mother's beef bourguignon with potatoes in country dress! Absolutely delicious and even better warmed up the next day. It is our favorite family meal!

Recently we have also been spending a lot of time baking! Madeleine and Rose like to watch us cook and to help a little too! But most of all, they enjoy eating the cake straight out of the oven! Nothing like a home made goûter (French tea time)!

WHICH INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS INSPIRE YOU THE MOST AT THE MOMENT? 

@postcardsbyhannah for her charming English countryside cottages  

@prettycitylondon offering the very best of London

Together they represent the best of Great Britain, just the way I like it!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD A FINISHING WORD?

Over the past weeks, I have often reflected upon Jane Austen's words : "There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort". I have no idea as to what lies ahead. There is so much uncertainty but in the middle of the chaos I have everything I need at home. I am with my family and can enjoy so many little soothing pleasures to ease my mind like a cup of tea, a book and of course use my sewing machine! Not only to create fairytale dresses for the girls but to make masks too. I think we will be needing more...

Follow Marie's Laure our.vie.en.rose Instagram page